Office of Privacy Protection

Identity theft continues to be the fastest growing crime in the country. More than 13 million people in the U.S. become victims each year.

By acquiring just a small amount of information, identity thieves can destroy a person’s financial reputation and cause endless stress on a person and their family. Identity theft costs consumers millions of dollars in fraudulent charges each year, and can take years and cost thousands of dollars to recover from.

Businesses are also harmed by identity theft, costing them not only money – but sometimes their reputation as well. In addition, businesses lose money, both in real dollars and in productivity, every time one of their customers becomes the victim of identity theft.

The Office of Privacy Protection works with Wisconsinites to educate them on how to protect their identities. The Office of Privacy Protection has taught consumers, businesses, and law enforcement agencies about identity theft and fraud prevention. We work with victims of identity theft, helping them take steps to reclaim their identity and restore their credit standing.

Identity theft and fraud are likely to be with us for the foreseeable future. Technology and e-commerce enable thieves around the world to steal our identities and use them for financial gain or criminal activity. Our primary focus is educating consumers on how to monitor and safeguard their personal information, keeping it safe from identity thieves.